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Canadian Astronaut

Which astronaut was once a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team? Which astronaut has sung with the Piacere Vocale in Basel, Switzerland? Collectively holding approximately 15 academic degrees, and bestowed with a number of special honours and professional memberships, our CSA astronauts are truly talented individuals, with resumes that impress even the most selective employers. After all, these astronauts had to compete with thousands of applicants to earn the chance to undergo astronaut training. Click on each astronaut for an individual biography.

From left to right:
Back row: Col. Chris Hadfield, Dr. Dave Williams, Mr. Bjarni Tryggvason.
Front row: Dr. Robert Thirsk, Ms. Julie Payette, Dr. Steve MacLean.

Canada's astronauts are responsible for encouraging and supporting the development of Canadian scientific and technological programs in space, as well as for promoting space awareness and education. Focusing their studies on Space Science, Space Technology, and Space Medicine, Canadian astronauts take part in microgravity aircraft flights as equipment operators, and sometimes as test subjects for investigators in university or industrial research laboratories. By exploring space and completing research, these individuals have contributed to Canadian innovations such as Canadarm2, the Space Vision System (SVS), and various medical techniques that improve the quality of life on Earth as well as in space. 

Through interviews and public appearances, Canada’s astronauts help to promote public awareness of Canadian space science and technology, and encourage young Canadians to pursue careers in these fields.

• Invite an astronaut to attend a public event.
• History of Canadian Astronaut Corps.